He has probably just agreed to the deal in principle as have people have said it cant be officially signed until his ban is up. Lets hope hes royally ed off with himself and comes back angry and ready to put himself about

Out of interest, does the ban stipulate anything about signing a sort of agreement which says he will sign for the club when he's eligible to?

Personally, I would think that he CAN sign a deal now.

If not, he would be free from his ban in 12 months, but still be officially unable to play due to not having a deal in place. That could be construed as a restraint of trade.

There is no reason that he can't sign a deal with a professional club with a start date of the day that his ban expires.

Its not a restraint of trade as he falls directly under the rules governing players that have been banned for drug taking. Rules are clear he cant have contact with any Rugby team until his ban expires. Wether he has had an agreement in place since or after the ban is another matter. No official word will come until the ban expires.

When is he free to play?
Is it 2 years from when he was first suspended following the positive A test or from the b test and the ban. They were some time apart, maybe six weeks or so!
Anyone know?

From the A sample.

You would think so wouldnt you? If that isnt the case and somebody took that to a court of law they would win hands down. Just because somebody has made a mistake and been banned for doing something illegal it doesnt mean his life ends and he cant plan a future. They even let prisoners in jail plan what they are going to do when they get out!

That's a very good post mate. And Hock is definately very much in the Peacock sort of mould, who also went from backrow to Prop.

I think he can sign a contract 12 months before the end of his ban, i think matt stevens announced in january this year that he had signed a contract with saracens starting in january of next year

when does his actual ban run to exactly, 23rd June was when it first was speculated, when did he get banned

His first sample was 5th June 2009. So it'll be two years from that date (or very close)
rlhttps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/wigans-hock-faces-long-ban-after-positive-test-for-cocaine-1715849.htmlrl

Regardless of whether Hock has or hasn't signed a contract with Wigan, he may well have a gentlemen's agreement with Lenegan. Alright it may not legally binding but if he's promised to sign as soon as he possibly can for however long for however much money then so be it.

I'm still waiting for this elusive statement from Lenegan about the whole Hock saga that we were promised months ago.

Just for the record I'm in favor of us resigning him, I'm just stating that because I know some aren't.

Surely not many. IMO Hock will come back as good - if not better - than ever.